Like R205, the S206 is based on the third generation Impreza WRX STI. While the first one used the GC hatchback as basis, the S206 used the GR sedan version as its canvas. As a complete car by STI, the upgrades were numerous to turn the S206 into the ultimate road going WRX STI of this generation.
Starting with the exterior, there was some parts specifically developed for the S206 such as a new front underspoiler under the front bumper and fenders with ventilation openings. The hood was made of aluminium for weight reduction and on the trunk there was a STI lip spoiler. S206 logo’s were put on the front grille and trunk.
In the interior the S206 logo could just be found on the door sills and on the serial number plate. But a lot of other interior equipment was unique to the S206, namely: Recaro bucket seats, dark red seatbelts, leather steering wheel with silver stitch, leather handbrake boot, door trim and center arm rest.
The part that makes a WRX STI an S-Model is the of course the engine. Specially balanced by STI, the engine is supposed to climb more smoothly through the rev range. A new turbocharger gives the EJ20 engine more torque in the lower and mid rpm range compared to the regular WRX STI. Upon opening the hood, you can see a new intercooler mounted on top of the engine. The big red S206 logo on the intercooler leaves no mistake that this is the S206 version. Furthermore the intake and exhaust were redesigned.
A large list of STI suspension parts were assembled to the car in order to enhance the driving performance and feel. The suspension struts were a combination of Bilstein dampers (tuned by STI) with STI coil springs. Big Brembo brakes with 6-pot in the front and 4-pot in the rear ensured high stopping power. With chassis enhancements like a front strut tower brace, ball jointed lateral suspension links, a S206 uniquely tuned Vehicle Dynamics Control and Flexible Draw Stiffener as found on the R205, the S206 was turned into a very all-round car, sporty yet comfortable.
On top of the regular S206, there was also the S206 NBR Challenge Package version referring to the model its achievements at the 24h of Nurburgring race. This version had a carbon roof which lowered the center of gravity and a carbon rear spoiler able to adjust the wing angle in two set-ups. The 19″ BBS wheels which were silver on the regular S206 version, now had a black color. And the black sill plate in the door opening was replaced with a red sill plate. As cherry on top of the cake, there was a special sticker on the trunk.
The S206 was announced in November 2011 and the orderbook was soon filled as there would only be produced 300 units in total. 100 of these were the NBR Challenge Package. It makes the S206 much more exclusive than the foregoing S203 and S204 for example. This exclusivity came at a cost because the S206 was not cheap with a price of 5.4 Million Yen. The NBR Challenge Package put another 0.5 Million Yen on top of that.
Click on the picture below to see the S206 and other Impreza versions per year and detailed specifications such as weight, new price and equipment for each version in the Goo-net.com catalog.
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